Ocean Chlorophyll-a Concentration and the Extension of the Migration of Franklin's Gulls (Leucophaeus pipixcan) in Southern South America.

ABSTRACT: Although many long-distance migratory birds choose stable wintering sites and staging posts, irruptive migrants may exhibit considerable interannual variability in their migratory patterns, often depending on food availability. The Franklin's gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) is a common long-distance migrant along Chile's coast during the austral summer. Using census data from three estuaries in central Chile (2006-2023), we analyzed variation in summer populations in relation to chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration along the migration route, used as a proxy for food availability. The best model predicting the number of gulls reaching Chile included a negative effect of chl-a concentration on the Peruvian coast (0-10° S) during winter (June-July). Considering the time

SUBMITTER: Acuna-Ruz MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12837980 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature